^ 



ENGINEERING COUNCIL 

" ENGINEERING SOCIETIES BUILDING 
29 West 39th Street. New York 



MEMBER SOCIETIES 

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS 

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGICAL ENGINEERS 

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS 

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS 

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING MATERIALS 
AMERICAN RAILWAY ENGINEERING ASSOCIATION 



. RECOMMENDED UNIFORM LAW FOR 
REGISTRATION OF 
ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS AND LAND SURVEYORS 



PAGE 

Introduction 1 

Recommended Law* 2 

Personnel of Committers 11 

Comments 12 

Report of Committee 13 

Abstracts of State Registration Laws* 16 

Canadian Registration Laws 36 

Resolution of Council of Eneinrprins Examinpis Nov. 9, 1920.. 39 



November, 1920 

•Reprinted from Proceedings, American Society of Civil Engineers, October, 1920, page 767, and 

November. 1920, page 850. 



ENGINEERING COUNCIL 

/^^ ENQINEERINO SOCIETIES BUILDING 

y h^ 29 West 39th Street, New York 



i 



MEMBER SOCIETIES 

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS 

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGICAL ENGINEERS 

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS 

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS 

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING MATERIALS 
AMERICAN RAILWAY, ENGINEERING ASSOCIATION 



REGISTRATION OF ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS AND LAND SURVEYORS 



INTRODUCTION 

November 20, 1920. 

Because of widespread and persistent interest in the subject of licensing or 
registering architects, engineers and surveyors. Engineering Council, at its meet- 
ing of October 25, 1918, authorized the creation of a committee to make a thorough 
study and submit a report. Sixteen engineers from all parts of the country, of 
long experience in various branches of the profession of engineering, were 
appointed members of this committee. 

After much hard work, the committee presented a report to Engineering 
Council December 18, 1919. This report was accompanied by a "Recommended 
Uniform Registration Law to regulate the practice of architecture, engineering and 
land surveying." Without acting upon the principles involved, or upon the merits 
of the law drafted by its able Committee, Council gave its Committee's report 
wide publicity, so that those working in several States on the subject of registra- 
tion might have the benefit of the Committee's work. In this way Council expected 
also to obtain criticism and experience to guide it whenever the time for action 

should arrive. 

In December, 1919, a Joint Committee of the American Institute of Architects 
and Engineering Council was created to consider subjects of interest to both 
architects and engineers. At a meeting held September 15, 1920, this committee 
considered the subject of joint registration laws and approved the proposition, 
laying down certain basic principles which such laws should contain. 

Engineering Council at a meeting held October 21, 1920 adopted the report of 
the License Committee, in which was incorporated a final draft of the recom- 
mended uniform law given publicity in December, 1919, made to accord with sug- 
gestions elicited during the past year. 

Alfred D. Flinn, 

Secretary. 



EECOMIIENDED UNIFOR:\r LAW FOR REGISTRATION OF ARCHI- 
TECTS, ENGINEERS AND LAND SURVEYORS. 

October, 1920. 

Title. — ^n Act to regulate the practice of the professions of architecture, 
engineering and land surveying. 

[Note: (a) In certain States further amplification of title may be required by 
law.] 

[Note: (h) The brief terms "architecture", "engineering" and "land survey- 
ing" give simpler and clearer understanding of the activities affected by 
this Act than any definition. Such definitions as have been devised have 
proven academic, difficult of proper inclusion and exclusion, confusing, 
laborious and frequently of great length.] 

[Note: (c) Laws for the registration of architects and engineers must be 
either in parallel or in common. Assuming the best interests of each 
to lie in co-operation, and having in mind economical administration of 
a law, both are included in this Act. Surveying is a function of engi- 
neering, but land surveying deals with land measurements involving prop- 
erty rights.] 

The People of the State of enact : 

Section 1. — In order to safeguard life, health and property, any person practic- 
ing or offering to practice as an architect, a professional engineer or a land 
surveyor in this State shall hereafter be required to submit evidence that he 
is qualified so to practice, and shall be registered as hereinafter provided, and 
from and after six months after this Act becomes effective, it shall be unlawful 
for any person to practice or to offer to practice in this State, as an architect, a 
professional engineer, hereinafter called engineer, or a land surveyor, except under 
the provisions of this Act. 

[Note: id) The constitutionality of this law is based on its promoting the 
public welfare by safeguarding life, health and property.] 

Section 2. — ^Nothing in this Act shall be construed as requiring registration 
by an individual, firm or corporation for the purpose of practicing architecture or 
engineering on property owned or leased by said individual, firm or corporation, 
unless the same involves the public safety or health; nor as requiring registration 
by any person, who prior to the time of the passage of this Act was engaged in the 
practice of architecture, engineering or land surveying; provided, however, such 
person shall not represent himself as, or use the title of, "Registered Architect", 
"Registered Professional Engineer" or "Registered Land Surveyor" unless such 
person is qualified by registration under this Act. 

[Note: (e) Obviously no modern agriculturist should be prohibited from 
laying out and building the ditches or roads on his farm, or planning 
and building his own barn.] 

Appointment of the Board. 
Section 3. — To carry out the provisions of this Act there is hereby created a 
State Board of Registration for architects, engineers and land surveyors, herein- 
after called the Board, consisting of seven members, who shall be appointed by 
the Governor within sixty days after this Act becomes effective. Three members 
bhall be registered architects and three members shall be registered engineers and 
one member shall be a registered land surveyor. Not more than one member of 

._ . _ . Py t? ^ ' -^ /^ . .. 



3 

said Board shall be from the same branch of the profession of engineering. The 
members of the first Board shall be appointed to serve for the following terms: 
Two members for one year; two members for two years; two members for three 
years, and one member for four years; said terms ending on the first day of 

of the succeeding years. On the expiration of each of said 

terms, the term of office of each newly appointed or reappointed member of the 
Board shall be for a period of four years and shall terminate on the first day of 

Each member shall hold over after the expiration of his 

term until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified. The 
Governor may remove any member of the Board for misconduct, incompetency 
or neglect of duty. Vacancies in the membership of the Board, however created, 
shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the unexpired term. 

[Note: (/) In those States in which there already exists a Department of 
Education and Registration or other similar department, as in the case 
of New York, Illinois and Idaho, it is desirable that registration laws 
should be administered by such State departments with the aid of pro- 
fessional commissions in each profession. Where such State departments 
do not exist their formation should be encouraged.] 

Qualifications for Membership on the Board. 
Section 4- — Each member of the Board shall be a citizen of the United States 
and a resident of this State at the time of his appointment. He shall have been 
engaged in the practice of his profession for at least ten years and shall have been 
in responsible charge of work for at least five years. He shall be a member in 
good standing of a* recognized society of architects, engineers or land surveyors, 
and except as provided in Section 5, shall be a registered architect, a registered 
engineer or a registered land surveyor. 

Certificates, PRmLEGES and Powers of the Board. 
Section 5. — Each member of the Board shall receive a certificate of appoint- 
ment from the Governor, and before beginning his term of office he shall file with 
the Secretary of State the constitutional oath of office. Each member of 
the Board first created shall receive a certificate of registration under this 
Act from the Governor of the State. The Board or any committee thereof 
shall be entitled to the services of the Attorney General, in connection with the 
affairs of the Board, and the Board shall have power to compel the attendance of 
witnesses, may administer oaths and may take testimony and proofs concerning 
all matters within its jurisdiction. The Board shall adopt and have an official 
seal which shall be affixed to all certificates of registration granted ; and shall make 
all by-laws and rules not inconsistent with law needed in performing its duty. 

Organization and Meetings of the Board. 

Section 6. — The Board shall hold a meeting within thirty days after its 
members are first appointed, and thereafter shall hold at least two regular meet- 
ings each year. Special meetings shall be held at such times as the by-laws of 
the Board may provide. Notice of all meetings shall be given in such manner as 
the by-laws may provide. The Board shall elect annually from its members a 



chairman, a vice-cliairman and a secretary. A quorum of the Board shall consist 
of not less than four members, of whom two shall be architects and two, engineers. 

Keceipts and Disbursements. 

Section 7. — The secretary of the Board shall receive and account for all 
moneys derived from the operation of this Act and shall pay them to the State 
Treasurer, who shall keep such moneys in a separate fund to be known as the 
"Fund of the Board of Eegistration for Architects, Engineers and Land Survey- 
ors", which fund shall be continued from year to year and shall be drawn against 
only for the purpos'es of this Act as herein provided. 

Each member of the Board shall receive dollars 

($ ) per day for attending sessions of the Board or of its committees, 

and for the time spent in necessary travel, and, in addition, shall be reimbursed 
for all necessary traveling, incidental and clerical expenses incurred in carrying 
out the provisions of this Act. All expenses certified by the Board as properly 
and necessarily incurred in the discharge of its duties, including authorized com- 
pensations, shall be paid out of said fund on the warrant of the auditor of the 
State issued on requisitions signed by the chairman and the secretary of the 
Board; provided, however, that at no time after this Act shall have been in effect 
for one year shall the total of warrants issued exceed the total amount of funds 
accumulated under this Act. The secretary of the Board shall give a surety bond 
satisfactory to the State Treasurer conditioned upon the faithful performance of 
liis duties. The premium on said bond shall be regarded as a proper and necessary 
expense of the Board. 

[Note: (g) The per diem allowance of each member of the Board is not 
expected to be adequate compensation. High-grade professional men are 
expected to serve as a matter of good citizenship.] 

[Note: (h) The administration of the law is made ultimately self-support- 
ing. The Legislature is not expected to appropriate money to accomplish 
the results contemplated.] 

Eecords and Eeports. 
Section 8. — The Board shall keep a record of its proceedings and a register of 
all applicants for registration showing for each, the date of application, name, 
age, educational and other qualifications, place of business and place of residence, 
whether or not an examination was required and whether the applicant was 
rejected, or a certificate of registration granted, and the date of such action. The 
books and register of the Board shall be prima facie evidence of all matters 
recorded therein. A roster showing the names and places of business and of 
residence of all registered architects, engineers and land surveyors shall be pre- 
pared by the secretary of the Board during the month of of each 

year; such roster shall be printed out of the funds of the Board as provided in 

Section 7. On or before the day of of each year the Board 

yhall submit to the Governor a report of its transactions for the preceding year, 
together with a com])lete statement of the receipts and expenditures of the Board, 
certified by the chairman and the secretary, and a copy of the said roster of regis- 
tered architects, registered engineers and registered land surveyors. A copy of this 
report shall be filed with the Secretary of State. 



Applications for and Issuances of Certificates. 

[Note: (i) The application required should include a complete statement of 
an applicant's education and a detailed summary of his technical work. 
The statements made should be under oath, and should be supported by the 
recommendations of not less than two members of his profession.] 

Section 9. — The Board shall, on application therefor on prescribed form, and 

the payment of a fee of _ dollars ($ ), issue a certificate of 

registration as an architect or as an engineer, and on the payment of a fee of 

dollars ($ ) issue a certificate of registration as a land 

surveyor : 

1. — To any person who submits evidence satisfactory to the Board that he 
is fully qualified to practice architecture, engineering or land surveying; or 

2. — To any person who holds a like unexpired certificate of registration issued 
to him by proper authority in the District of Columbia, in any State or territory 
of the United States, or in any Province of Canada, in which the require- 
ments for the registration of architects, engineers or land surveyors are of a 
standard satisfactory to the Board; 

Provided, however, that no person shall be eligible for registration who is 
under twenty-five years of age, who is not a citizen of the United States or 
Canada, or who has not made declaration of his intention to become a citizen of 
the United States, who does not speak and write the English language, who 
is not of good character and repute, and who has not been actively engaged 
for six or more years in architectural, engineering or land surveying work of a 
character satisfactory to the Board. However, each year of teaching, or of study 
satisfactorily completed, of architecture or engineering in a school of architecture 
or engineering of standing satisfactory to the Board, shall be considered as 
equivalent to one year of such active engagement. 

[Note: (j) The functions of the Board are largely administrative and judi- 
cial. The burden of presenting evidence of qualification is placed upon 
the applicant. The Board may in doubtful cases give technical examina- 
tions; but the clear intent is to utilize other State agencies, as for instance 
the architectural or engineering schools, to submit as evidence the results 
of examinations, with recommendations as to competency.] 

Unless disqualifying evidence be before the Board, the following facts estab- 
lished in the application shall be regarded as prima facie "evidence, satisfactory 
to the Board", that the applicant is fully qualified to practice architecture, 
engineering or land surveying: 

[Note: (/(•) When the law goes into effect a large percentage of practicing 
architects, engineers and land surveyors will be registered to preserve the 
status quo. Long-continued practice, graduation from a technical school 
of approved standing with subsequent years of practice, or membership 
in a high-grade technical society, in the absence of disqualifying facts, 
is accepted as prima facie evidence of qualifications, as stated below.] 

(a) Ten or more years of active engagement in architectural, engineering or 
land surveying work; 

(h) Graduation, after a course of not less than four years in architecture or 
engineering, from a school or college approved by the Board as of satisfactory 



standing, and an additional four years of active engagements in architectural, 
engineering or land surveying work; 

(c) Full membership in the American Institute of Architects, American 
Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, American 
Institute of Electrical Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 
American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, Society of Naval 
Architects and Marine Engineers, or such other ISTational or State architectural 
or engineering societies as may be approved by the Board, the requirements for 
full membership in which are not lower than the requirements for full member- 
ship in the professional societies or institutes named above. 

Applicants for registration, in cases where the evidence originally presented 
in the application does not appear to the Board conclusive or warranting the 
issuance of a certificate, may present further evidence, which may include the 
results of a required examination, for the consideration of the Board. 

[Note: (0 The standard of qualification is set high for two reasons: The 
public welfare will be better promoted by maturer competency; and the 
prestige attaching to the term "Eegistered" will be more significant for 
the professional men themselves. In requiring the younger, less experi- 
enced men to serve somewhat longer as assistants or understudies to older 
men, no hardship is imposed which will not be compensated by the fuller 
return in recognition when registration is achieved.] 

In determining the qualifications of applicants for registration as architects, 
a majority vote of the architect members of the Board only shall be required; 
in determining the qualifications of applicants for registration as engineers, a 
majority vote of the engineer members of the Board only shall be required; 
and in determining the qualifications of applicants for registration as land 
surveyors the affirmative vote of the land surveyor member and of one engineer 
member of the Board only shall be required. 

[Note: (m) The acceptance for registration of architects by the architects 
on the Board, and of engineers by the engineers on the Board, places 
the judicial finding of fitness or unfitness in the hands of those best 
qualified to judge. In administrative matters and in the revocation of 
certificates, the Board acts as a unit.] 

In case the Board denies the issuance of a certificate to an applicant, the 
registration fee deposited shall be returned by the Board to the applicant. 

Certificates of registration shall expire on the last day of the month of Decem- 
ber following their issuance or renewal and shall become invalid on that date unless 
renewed. It shall be the duty of the secretary of the Board to notify by mail 
every person registered hereunder of the date of the expiration of his certifi- 
cate and the amount of the fee required for its renewal for one year; such 
notice shall be mailed at least one month in advance of the date of the expiration 
of said certificate. Renewal may be effected at any time during the month of 

December by the payment of a fee of dollars ($ ) for 

architects and engineers, and dollars ($ ) for land 

surveyors. The failure on the part of any registrant to renew his certificate 
annually in the month of December as required above shall not deprive such person 
of the right of renewal thereafter, but the fee to be paid for the renewal of a 
certificate after the month of December shall be increased 10% for each month 



I 



or fraction of a month that payment for renewal is delayed; provided, however, 
that the maximum fee for a delayed renewal shall not exceed twice the normal fee. 

[Note: (n) The amount of the fee to he paid by a registrant must be estab- 
lished by each State in the light of the number of fees to be expected, 
and the cost of administration.] 

Revocations and Reissuances of Certificates. 

Section 10. — The Board shall have the power to revoke the certificate of 
registration of any architect, engineer or land surveyor registered hereunder who 
is found guilty of any fraud or deceit in obtaining a certificate of registration or 
of gross negligence, incompetency or misconduct in the practice of architecture, 
engineering or land surveying. Any person may prefer charges of such fraud, 
deceit, negligence, incompetency or misconduct against any architect, engineer 
or land surveyor registered hereunder; such charges shall be in writing and 
sworn to by the comphiinant and submitted to the Board. Such charges, unless 
dismissed without hearing by the Board as unfounded or trivial, shall be heard 
and determined by the Board within three months after the date on which they 
are preferred. A time and place for such hearing shall be fixed by the Board. 
A copy of the charges, together with a notice of the time and place of hearing, 
shall be legally served on the accused at least thirty days before the date fixed 
for the hearing, and in the event that such service cannot be effected thirty days 
before such hearing, then the date of hearing and determination shall be post- 
poned as may be necessary to permit the carrying out of this condition. At said 
hearing the accused shall have the right to appear personally and by counsel and 
to cross-examine witnesses against him and to produce evidence and witnesses in 
his defense. If after said hearing five or more members of the Board vote in favor 
of finding the accused guilty of any fraud or deceit in obtaining a certificate, or 
of gross negligence, incompetency or misconduct in the practice of architecture, 
engineering or land surveying, the Board shall revoke the certificate of registration 
of the accused. 

The Board may reissue a certificate of registration to any person whose certifi- 
cate has been revoked, provided five or more members of the Board vote in favor 
of such reissuance for reasons the Board may deem sufficient. 

The Board shall immediately notify the Secretary of State and the clerk of 
each county, town and city in the State of its findings in the case of the revocation 
of a certificate of registration or of its reissuance of a revoked certificate of regis- 
tration. 

[Note: (o) Revocation is recognized as a serious procedure in its effect on 
professional reputation, and the right of hearing and contest is recognized 
and provided for.] 

A new certificate of registration to replace any certificate lost, destroyed or 
mutilated, may be issued, subject to the rules and regulations of the Board. A 
charge of one dollar shall be made for such reissuance. 

Significance of Certificate — Seals. 
Section 11. — The issuance of a certificate of registration by this Board shall 
be evidence that the person named therein is entitled to all the rights and priv- 



ileges of a registered architect, a registered engineer or a registered land surveyor 
while the said certificate remains unrevoked or unexpired. 

Each registrant hereunder may upon registration obtain a seal of the design 
authorized by the Board, bearing the registrant's name and the legend "Kegistered 
Architect", "Kegistered Professional Engineer", or "Registered Land Surveyor". 
Plans, specifications, plats and reports issued by a registrant may be stamped with 
the said seal during the life of registrant's certificate, but it shall be unlawful for 
any one to stamp or seal any documents with said seal after the certificate of the 
registrant named thereon has expired or has been revoked unless said certificate 
shall have been renewed or reissued. 

Unlawful Acts and Penalties. 
Section 12. — Any person who after this Act has been in effect six months is not 
legally authorized to practice as an architect, an engineer or a land surveyor in 
this State according to the provisions of this Act and shall so practice, or offer 
so to practice in this State, except as provided in Section 13 of this Act, and any 
person presenting or attempting to file as his own the certificate of registration of 
another, or who shall give false or forged evidence of any kind to the Board, or 
to any member thereof, in obtaining a certificate of registration, or who shall 
falsely impersonate any other practitioner, of like or different name, or who 
shall use or attempt to use an expired or revoked certificate of registration, shall 
be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall for each such offense of which he 
is convicted be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) 
nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment for three months, 
or by both fine and imprisonment. However, nothing in this Act shall be construed 
as excluding any registered architect from the practice of engineering or as exclud- 
ing any registered engineer from the practice of architecture. 

[Note: (p) This Act not only gives prestige to the titles "Registered Archi- 
tect", "Registered Professional Engineer" and "Registered Land Sur- 
veyor", but also prohibits in part the practice as principals of persons not 
registered.] 

[Note: {q) This Act does not prohibit an architect from designing a bridge, 
nor an engineer from designing a building. Ethical considerations and 
professional opinion will confine the scope of each person's practice to the 
fields in which he is a master.] 

Exemptions. 
Section 13. — The following shall be exempted from the provisions of this Act: 
1. — Offering to practice in this State as an architect, an engineer or a land 

surveyor, by any person not a resident of and having no established place of 

business in this State. 

[Note: (r) A professional card in a journal of National circulation is an 
"offer to practice" in any State in the Union, It would be manifestly 
unfair to compel a professional man to register in every State in which 
he may in this way, or by letter or otherwise, express his readiness to 
acc(>pt an engagement.] 

2. — Practice as an architect, an engineer or a land surveyor in this State by 
any person not a resident of and having no established place of business in this 



9 

State, when this practice does not aggregate more than thirty days in any calendar 
year; provided, that said person is legally qualified for such professional service 
in his own State or country. 

[Note: (5) It is a distinct advantage to the people of any State to be able to 
call in for consultation a specialist from any other State. Such practice 
may be brief, and often of an emergency nature.] 

3. — Practice as an architect, an engineer or a land surveyor in this State by 
any person not a resident of and having no established place of business in this 
State, or any person resident in this State, but whose arrival in the State is 
recent; provided, however, such person shall have filed an application for registra- 
tion as an architect, an engineer, or a land surveyor and shall have paid the fee 
provided for in Section 9 of this Act. Such exemption shall continue for only 
such reasonable time as the Board requires in which to consider and grant or deny 
the said application for registration. 

4. — Engaging in architectural, engineering or land surveying work as an 
employee of a registered architect, a registered engineer or a registered land 
surveyor, or as an employee of an architect, an engineer or a land surveyor, author- 
ized by Paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Section, provided that said work may not 
include responsible charge of design or supervision. 

6. — Practice of architecture, engineering or land surveying by any person not 
a resident of and having no established place of business in this State, as a con- 
sulting associate of an architect, an engineer or a land surveyor registered under 
the provisions of this Act; provided the non-resident is qualified for such profes- 
sional service in his own State or country. 

[Note: (t) This includes a reciprocal privilege accorded to non-resident or 
alien consultants, in order that resident architects, engineers and land 
surveyors may receive similar privileges of practice in other States and 
in foreign countries.] 

6. — Practice of architecture, engineering or land surveying solely as an officer 
or as an employee of the United States. 

7. — Practice of architecture, engineering or land surveying solely as an em- 
ployee of this State or any political subdivision thereof, at the time this Act 
becomes effective and thereafter only until the expiration of the then existing 
term of office of such employee. 

Corporations or Partnerships. 
Section IJf. — A corporation or partnership may engage in the practice of archi- 
tecture, engineering or land surveying in this State, provided the person or persons 
connected with such corporation or partnership in responsible charge of such 
practice is or are registered as herein required of architects, engineers and land 
surveyors, or is or are otherwise authorized to practice. The same exemptions shall 
apply to corporations and partnerships as apply to individuals under this Act. 

Public Work. 
Section 15. — One year after this Act goes into effect, neither the State nor any 
county, township, city, town or village nor other political subdivision of the State, 
shall engage in the construction or maintenance of any public work involving 



10 

architecture or engineering for which the plans, specifications and estimates have 
not been made by, and the construction and maintenance supervised by, a registered 
architect or a registered engineer; provided, that nothing in this section shall be 
held to apply to such public work wherein the contemplated expenditure for the 
completed project does not exceed two thousand dollars ($2 000). 

Land Surveying. 
Section 16. — Land Surveying as covered by this Act refers only to surveys 
for the determination of areas or for the establishment or re-establishment of land 
boundaries and the subdivision and platting of land. ISTothing in this Act shall be 
construed as prohibiting registered architects or registered engineers from making 
land surveys where such surveys are essential to architectural or engineering 
projects. 

Kepeal of Conflicting Legislation. 

Section 17. — All laws or parts of laws in conflict with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed. 



[Note: (u) The laws of most States contain rules for the construction of 
statutes which provide that words importing the masculine gender apply 
also to the feminine gender. In States where such rules of construction 
do not exist, a section may be incorporated in this Act to include women 
in all its provisions.] 



APPENDIX. 

Supplemental Provision, Section 13 — Exe:mption 8. 

The following additional Exemption 8, under Section 13, while not advocated 
by Engineering Council, has been recommended by the Joint Committee on Co- 
operation of the American Institute of Architects and Engineering Council. It is 
suggested for incorporation in the laws of States where such a provision seems 
necessary or desirable. Its inclusion would permit any person, for example, a 
contractor, a carpenter, a road master or a manufacturer, to plan and execute 
work of an architectural or engineering nature, provided that there was no implica- 
tion involved that such a person is an architect or an engineer. 

Section 13. — Exemption 8. — Designing or executing work of an architectural or 
engineering character by a person not an architect or an engineer; provided that 
such person does not represent himself as an architect or as an engineer; and 
provided further that on drawings, specifications or other documents prepared or 
issued by such person the title Arcliitcct or Engineer shall not be used, nor any 
other title which might imply that such person is an architect or an engineer. 



11 

PERSONNEL OF C0M:MJTTEE ON LICENSING OF ENGINEERS. 

Joliu W. Alvord, (1) Chicag:o, Illinois. 
Bion J. Arnold, (1) (4) Chicago, Illinois, 
T. L. Condron, (1) (5) Chairman, Chicajro, Illinois. 
Prof. J. II. Dunlap, (1) Iowa City, Iowa. 
Farley Gannett, (1) Harrisburg;, Pa. 
Prof. A. M. Greene, Jr., (3) Troy, New York. 
James H. Herron, (2) (3) (5) Cleveland, Ohio. 
John Klorer, (7) New Orleans, Louisiana. 
Riehard A. Parker, (2) Denver, Colorado. 
F. T. Rubidge, (2) New York, N. Y. ' 
Caleb M. Saville, (1) Hartford, Conn. 
- A. M. Schoen, (4) Atlanta, Georgia. 

Francis C. Shenehon, (1) Minneapolis, Minn. 
Amos Slater, (2) Seattle, Wash. 
Christopher H. Snyder, (1) San Francisco, Cal. 
J. W. Woermann, (1) St. Louis, Mo. 

PERSONNEL OF JOINT COMMITTEE OF AMERICAN INSTITUTE 01 

ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERING COUNCIL. 

William P. Bannister, (G) New York, N. Y. 

J. Parke Channing, (2) New York, N. Y. 

John M. Donaldson, (6) Detroit, Michigan. 

Burt L. Fenner, (6) New York, N. Y. 

Otis E. Hovey, (1) New York, N. Y. 

Henry C. Meyer, Jr., (3) New York, N. Y. 

E. J. Russell, (6) St. Louis, Mo. 

Francis C. Shenehon, Chairman, (1) MinneaiX)lis, Minn. 



Note : Society memberships of th€ members of the committees are indicated by numbers ai 
follows ; the first five societies being those which are members of Engineering Council. 

(1) American Society of Civil Engineers, 

(2) American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, 

(3) American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 

(4) American Institute of Electrical Engineets, 

(5) American Society for Testing Materials, 

(6) American Institute of Architects, 

(7) Louisiana Engineering Society. 



COMMENTS. 

1. — Omission of Definitions. — Definitions were not included in the proposed 
Jaw as explained in note (a) accompanying the same. 

2. — Qualifications of Board Members including "he shall be a member in 
good standing of a recognized society of architects or professional engineers." 
It should be noted that this requirement applies only to those appointed as 
members of a "State Board of Registration." This cannot be deemed class legis- 
lation, as the requirement is general and there are numerous societies of architects 
and of engineers. Members of such a board should be men who have attained 
recognition among their professional brethren. 

3. — Administration. — The proposed law has been drawn to meet the usual 
method of State administration of such laws. In a few States, Departments have 
been created to function instead of Boards, but the matter of administrative 
detail must necessarily be modified in each State in accordance with the practice 
in that State, and therefore this recommended law is intended to be only sug- 
gestive so far as the matter of administration is concerned. 

4. — Qualification for Registration. — Many expressions of approval have been 
received of the provision that certificates be issued to persons submitting evidence 
satisfactory to the Board that they are qualified to practice rather than of depend- 
ence entirely upon examinations. In the State of Illinois, submission of evidence 
will be substituted in the place of examinations, following the scheme included 
in our proposed law. 

5. — Citizenship. — Criticism of the requirement of the proposed law concerning 
citizenship has been received, principally from mining engineers, but the Com- 
mittee was unanimous in December, 1919, in requiring that registration be limited 
to citizens of the United States or Canada, or to those who have made declaration 
of their intention to become citizens of the United States and who speak and 
write the English language. (See comment on exemptions). 

6. — Significance of Certificate. — The provisions of Sections 11 and 12 make 
it perfectly clear that separate and distinct certificates will be issued for regis- 
tration of architects, of engineers, and of land surveyors. Of course, if an applicant 
could qualify and desired to qualify in each of the three professions, there is 
nothing to prevent three certificates being issued to such an applicant. It should 
be borne in mind that while Section 12 provides that a registered architect shall 
not be excluded from practicing engineering nor a registered engineer excluded 
from practicing architecture, there is no provision that would permit a registered 
land surveyor practicing either architecture or engineering. It seems unnecessary 
to add, as has been suggested, the further provision that a registered architect 
may not style himself an engineer, and vice versa. 

7. — Exemptions. — In order better to provide for occasional activities of 
foreign engineers called into consultation or practice in a State, we would recom- 
mehd that the time limit in Exemption No. 2 be changed from fifteen days to 
thirty days, and further that an exemption be added providing that non-residents 
may practice, without registration, as consulting associates. This would make it 
legal for a consulting engineer to act in the capacity of consultant in association 
with a resident registered engineer in any locality without the consulting engineer 
being obliged to secure a certificate of registration in that particular locality. 



13 

KEPORT OF COMMITTEE ON LICENSING OF ENGINEERS. 

The sixteen members of the committee, as appointed by Council, were selected 
from thirteen States, viz., California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, 
Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wash- 
ington, and therefore represent practically all sections of the United States, as 
well as mechanical, electrical, mining, metallurgical, hydraulic, municipal, sanitary, 
railway, highway and structural engineering, and also colleges of engineering. 

The first work of the committee was to investigate the general subject and to 
collect, so far as possible, available material bearing upon the subject in hand, 
including opinions from many engineers as to the need or desirability of legisla- 
tion, as well as copies of all State laws passed and proposed, having to do with 
licensing or registering of architects, engineers, and land surveyors. 

The preliminary investigation disclosed that very pronounced views were iield 
by engineers throughout the country, both for and against State licensing or 
registering. The general sentiment two years ago was more opposed to such 
measures than it is to-day. The older members of the profession did not, as a 
rule, favor licensing nor did they feel there was need for State regulation of 
engineering practice, while among the younger men there was a feeling that 
licensing or registering by the States would add prestige to, and in many ways 
benefit the profession, as well as individual engineers. 

Advantages and Disadvantages. 

The advantages claimed for State licensing or registering are the same as those 
presumably gained by the laws regulating the professions of law and medicine, 
namely, that those who are incompetent and unqualified professionally to practice 
are unable to obtain licenses or certificates and hence both the public and the 
profession are protected. On the other hand, those engineers who have already 
attained to recognized professional standing feel that they not only do not need the 
benefits claimed for such legislation, but they fear that State licenses or certifi- 
cates of registration are likely to put the seal of State endorsement on men who 
do not deserve it and that the public would assume that a licensed or registered 
engineer was thereby certified by the State as fully qualified, regardless of what 
might or might not be the requirements demanded before a license or certificate 
was granted. 

However, the question has gone beyond the stage of debate, for already eleven 
States* have enacted laws licensing or registering engineers, and other States are 
certain to enact similar laws during the present or coming sessions of their legis- 
latures. In addition to these eleven laws governing engineering practice, there are 
at least six States that require the licensing or registering of land surveyors and 
in at least eighteen Statesf laws have been passed licensing or registering archi- 
tects. Some of the eleven laws are so drawn as to include both engineers and 
surveyors and some include architects and engineers and one or two include 
architects, engineers, and surveyors. Moreover, these laws are not at all uniform, 
and in several instances are likely to prove seriously embarrassing and annoying 

* Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, New York. Oregon, Virginia. 
Wyoming. 

t California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey. 
New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Wash- 
ington. Wisconsin. 



14 

to engineers whose activities extend beyond the limits of a single State. Because 
of the nature of professional engineering work, the practice of an engineer fre- 
quently extends over several States and therefore it is vitally important if there 
are to be State regulations for engineering practice, that these regulations be made 
uniform so far as possible and that the engineering profession unite in wisely 
directing such legislation. 

Architectural Registration Laws. 

As stated, laws have been passed in eighteen States for licensing or registering 
architects and the American Institute of Architects has endorsed and advocated 
such legislation, considering that both the architects and the general public are 
benefited thereby. Unfortunately, some of the laws for licensing architects have 
been so drawn as seriously to interfere with legitimate engineering practice. 

In the State of Illinois a law for licensing architects was passed several years 
ago, the rigid enforcement of which made it necessary for engineers to unite in 
having a "structural engineers' license law" passed by the legislature. Noav 
there are two laws in force in Illinois, one for architects and the other for struc- 
tural engineers. 

In some States, the laws enacted and proposed are intended to regulate the 
practice of architecture, while in other States laws have been enacted the purpose 
of which is simply to protect the term "architect". In Wisconsin and several other 
States no one may use the title "architect" without first obtaining from the State a 
certificate of registration as a "registered architect", but anyone not an architect 
may prepare plans and supervise construction provided he does not style himself 
an "architect". 

Definition of "Architectitre" and "Engineering". 

This committee has made a very careful study of definitions of "architect", 
"architecture", "engineer" and "engineering", but it was found that any definition 
of "engineering" would be so general as to include too much, or too specific to be 
sufiiciently general, or too voluminous to be suitable to incorporate in a law. Some 
have endeavored to include in a definition of "engineering practice" all sorts and 
kinds of construction work, but engineering includes investigations as well as 
plans and no catalogue can well be prepared sufficiently detailed to include all 
sorts of engineering activities. Both architecture and engineering are broad terms 
involving construction and necessarily there can be no sharply drawn distinction. 
Architects in the broadest sense are engineers even if usually architecture is 
associated with ideas of artistic or decorative features. Architects are eligible to 
membership in the American Society of Civil Engineers and several architects are 
members. 

Basis for Begulation. 

The only basis on which the practice of any profession may be subject legally to 
State regulation' is "in order to safeguard life, health and property". The State 
may not dictate that no one without a particular kind of artistic talent may 
l)ractif(' (Migineering or architecture, but it may legally require that no one shall 
practice architecture or engineering who is ignorant of the effects of loads and 
applied forces, or incapable of determining the stresses in structures due to loads 



15 

and applied forces, and unable properly to proportion materials in structures 
safely to sustain such loads and forces. 

Land surveying does not involve matters that would ordinarily jeopardize life 
and health, but property rig-hts are vitally affected by land surveying, and many 
States have deemed it essential to place restrictions and safeguards about the 
practice of land surveying. Land surveying is associated with both architectural 
and engineering practice. 

Joint Law for Architects and Engineers. 

This committee has therefore deemed it advisable and to the best interests of 
all concerned to include in one law provisions for the registration of architects, 
engineers, and land surveyors. It has recognized that the practices of architecture 
and engineering overlap in many instances, esi)ecially in connection with the 
larger projects of modern structures, where many branches of the arts and sciences 
are combined, involving architecture, structural, mechanical, electrical, sanitary, 
and other lines of engineering. 

There are ample reasons why architects alone should judge as to the qualifica- 
tions of those desiring to practice architecture and why engineers alone should 
pass upon the qualifications of those desiring to practice engineering. Hence a 
bill for legislation has been drafted by the Committee along these lines. 

In fixing the qualifications for registration in our proposed bill, these have 
been purposely made high, but they have not been made unnecessarily difficult for 
reasonably competent men to meet. It is not intended that candidates would 
ordinarily be subjected to written examinations, but rather the board of regis- 
tration would pass upon the sufficiency of the professional record of each candi- 
date. Minimum qualifications have been clearly set forth which must be met. In 
order to enable the board to pass upon candidates fairly, certain qualifications are 
specified as "prima facie evidence of fitness" which (unless other facts derogatory 
to a candidate are also in evidence) will permit the board to pass the candidate. 
This so called "prima facie evidence" is not required, but if the candidate can 
present such evidence his application is the more readily passed upon. For 
instance, a candidate need not be a graduate of a college of architecture or 
engineering, but if he is, it is to his advantage. Likewise a candidate need not be 
a full member of one of the National or State technical societies or institutes, but 
if he has won such full membership it is greatly to his professional advantage. 



16 

ABSTKACTS OF STATE REGISTRATION LAWS. 

N^ote: Engineering Council does not guarantee the legal accuracy of the 
following abstracts. 

Recommended Uniform Registration Law. 
Adopted by Engineering Council in October, 1920. 

Administration. — Board of Registration, consisting of seven members appointed 
by the Governor. Three members shall be registered architects; three, roistered 
engineers; and one a registered land surveyor. In determining qualifications of 
applicants for registration as architects, a majority vote of the architect members 
of the Board only shall be required; similarly for engineers; for land surveyors, 
the affirmative vote of the land surveyor member and of one engineer member of 
the Board shall be required. 

Application for Certificate. — Made to Board of Registration. 

Definitions. — Not given for architecture and engineering; land surveying as 
covered by the Act refers only to surveys for the determination of areas or for the 
establishment or re-establishment of land boundaries and the subdivision and 
platting of land. 

Professional Requirements. — Law covers all those practicing or offering to 
practice architecture, engineering or land surveying. Experience without degree: 
At least six years in active engagement of architectural, engineering or land 
surveying work of a character satisfactory to the Board. Educational allowance: 
Each year of teaching or of study in a school of architecture or of engineering 
of standing satisfactory to the Board shall be considered equivalent to one year of 
active engagement. Society membership: A full member of a National or State 
architectural or engineering society shall be entitled to registration. 

General Requirements. — Citizenship of United States required — or a declaration 
to become a citizen. Age: At least 25 years. Miscellaneous: Must si)eak and 
write the English language, and be of good character and repute. 

Examinations. — If the evidence originally presented in the application does not 
appear to the Board to be conclusive or warranting issuance of a certificate, appli- 
cant may present further evidence, which may include results of a required 
examination. Scope and nature : Not prescribed. Frequency : Not prescribed. 

Fees. — For certificate: amount not suggested. For renewal of certificate: 
Amount not suggested. For replacing certificate lost, destroyed or mutilated : $1.00. 

Expirations and Renewals. — Certificates shall expire on the last day of December 
following their issuance and shall become invalid on that date unless renewed. 
Each registrant shall be notified by the Secretary of the Board one month in 
advance of the expiration of his certificate. Renewal may be effected any time 
during the month of December by payment of the required fee. For failure to 
renew certificate within the time provided, registrant shall not be deprived of his 
right of renewal, but after the month of December the fee shall be increased 10% 
for each month or fraction of a month that payment for renewal is delayed, pro- 
vided that the maximum fee shall not exceed twice the normal fee. 

Puhlic Work. — One year after the Act goes into effect, neither the State, nor 
any political subdivision shall engage in public work involving architecture or 
engineering for which the plans, specifications, and estimates have not been made 



17 

by, and the construction and maintenance supervised by, a registered architect or a 
registered engineer; provided that nothing in this section shall be held to apply when 
the contemplated expenditure for the completed project does not exceed $2 000. 

Seals. — Each registrant may obtain a seal of the design authorized by the 
Board bearing the registrant's name and the legend "Registered Architect", or 
"Registered Professional Engineer" or "Registered Land Surveyor". Plans, specifi- 
cations, plats, and reports may be stamped with said seal. 

Exemptions (See also "Reciprocity"). — Any person who prior to the passage of 
this Act was in professional practice may continue to practice without being 
registered, provided he does not hold himself out as a registered practitioner nor 
use the titles "Registered Architect", "Registered Professional Engineer", or 
"Registered Land Surveyor". The following exemptions are made: Offering to 
practice by non-residents; employees of registered practitioners, provided that 
duties do not include responsible charge of design or supervision; employees of 
the State or any political subdivision are exempted from the time the Act becomes 
effective only until the then existing terms of their respective offices expire; officers 
or employees of the Eederal government. Corporations or partnerships may engage 
in the practice of architecture, engineering or land surveying provided the person 
or persons in charge of design or supervision which constitutes such practices is 
or are registered, or is or are otherwise authorized to practice. Exemptions for 
individuals apply to corporations and partnerships. Architects and engineers are 
not prohibited from making land surveys essential to architectural or engineering 
projects. Individuals, firms or corporations are not prohibited from practicing 
on property owned or leased by them. 

Reciprocity. — A non-resident practitioner may practice without being registered 
in the State provided he is legally qualified for such professional service in his 
own State or country, when this practice does not aggregate more than 30 days 
in any calendar year. He may also practice as a consulting associate of a resident 
registered practitioner. He may be granted a certificate if he holds a like unexpired 
certificate from another State or territory of the United States or from any 
Province of Canada, in which requirements for registration are of a standard 
satisfactory to the Board. A new resident may practice, provided he has filed 
application for registration and has paid the required fee, for such reasonable 
time as the Board requires in which to consider and grant or deny his application. 

Revocation of Certificate. — The Board may revoke a certificate for cause only 
after a hearing at which the accused has the right to be represented by counsel, 
to introduce evidence, and to examine and cross-examine witnesses. 

Penalties. — A person who after this Act has been in effect six months is not 
legally authorized to practice and shall so practice or otherwise violate its pro- 
visions, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall for each offense of which 
he is convicted be punished by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500, or 
by imprisonment for three months, or by both fine and imprisonment. 

Colorado Law for Licensing of Engineers. 

Effective July 9th, 1919. 

Practitioners at the time the law became effective were allowed one year 
within which to obtain licenses without examination. 



18 

Administration. — Board of five engineers appointed by the Governor; State 
Engineer is ex-officio a member of the Board and its Secretary. 

Application for Examination. — Made to State Engineer, Secretary, State Board 
of Engineer Examiners, Denver, Colo. In not less than 60 nor more than 120 
days, the application shall be either approved or denied. 

Definition of Engineer. — An Engineer within the meaning of this Act, is a 
person engaged in the practice of the profession of engineering in any of its 
branches, except military engineering. 

Professional Requirements. — Law covers all engineers. Experience without 
degree: At least six years in employ or under supervision, direction and tuition 
of one or more practicing engineers, of which two years must have been in active 
responsible charge of work — actual supervision and direction requiring the exercise 
of initiative, judgment and independent decision, as principal or assistant. Educa- 
tional allowance: Each complete year as a student in an engineering school of 
recognized reputation is considered as one year of practice. Society membership: 
No provision. 

General Requirements. — Citizenship of United States required. Age : More 
than 25 years. Miscellaneous: Must be of good moral character. 

Examinations. — Kequired of all applicants, except those in practice at the time 
the law becomes effective. Scope and nature: Examinations are to be conducted 
in such manner as the Board may deem best suited to determine the fitness of 
candidates. Each candidate shall be examined in that branch of engineering in 
which he is proficient as set forth in his application. The Board may summon 
any licensed engineer to assist in preparing for and in conducting examinations. 
Frequency : Not prescribed. 

Fees. — For examination: $10.00. For license certificate: $5.00. For renewal 
of certificate: $5.00 annually. 

Expirations and Renewals. — Certificates expire December 31st, each year. If 
not renewed by March 1st of the succeeding year, they are cancelled. Any person 
once licensed may be granted a new license without examination at any time upon 
payment of annual fee. 

Significance of Certificate. — The Board has power to limit any license to the 
practice of surveying according to the qualifications shown by the applicant upon 
examination. Public Work: No provision. Private Work: No maps, plans, 
designs, reports, statements or filings to be certified or approved by an engineer 
shall be accepted or filed by any State official unless the certificate of approval is 
executed by and bears the seal of a person duly licensed. 

Seals. — Every licensed engineer shall have a seal, which must contain his name, 
place of business, and the words, "Licensed Engineer, State of Colorado", with 
which he shall stamp all drawings, specifications and reports issued by him for 
use in the State. 

Exemptions (See also ''Reciprocity"). — Employees of licensed practitioners: 
Draftsmen or other assistants of licensed engineers are not prevented from acting 
under instruction, control, or supervision of their employers. Superintendents of 
construction, paid by the owner, may act if under the control and direction of a 
licensed engineer. Rights, privileges and duties of architects are not limited by 
the provisions of this Act. All military engineers are exempt. 



I 



19 

Reciprocity. — No provisions. 

Revocation of Certificate. — The Board may revoke a certificate for cause only 
after a hearing at which the accused has the right to be represented by counsel, 
to introduce evidence and to examine and cross-examine witnesses. 

Penalties. — Any person who is not lawfully authorized to practice and shall so 
practice or otherwise violate the provisions of this Act shall be deemed guilty of a 
misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not 
more than $500 or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 6 months, 
or by both fine and imprisonment. 

Legislative Information. — Senate Bill 'No. 339, approved April 9th, 1919. 
Architects are licensed under an Act approved April 26th, 1909, and in force 
October 25th, 1909. 

Florida Law for the Eegistration of Professional Engineers. 
Effective May, 1917. 

Practitioners at the time the law became effective were allowed seven months 
within which to register without examination. 

Administration. — Board of five members appointed by the Governor, three 
civil engineers, one mining or electrical engineer, and one mechanical engineer or 
naval architect. Each member of the Board must be a member of a recognized 
engineering society. 

Application for Examination. — Made to Secretary, State Board of Engineering 
Examiners, 215 East Bay Street, Jacksonville, Fla. 

Definition of EngineeHng. — The practice of professional engineering embraces 
the design and the supervision of the construction of public and private utilities, 
such as railroads, bridges, highways, roads, canals, harbors, river improvements, 
lighthouses, wet docks, dry docks, ships, barges, dredges, cranes, floating docks and 
other floating property, the design and the supervision of the construction of 
steam engines, turbines, internal combustion engines and other mechanical struc- 
tures, electrical machinery and apparatus, and of works for the development, 
transmission or application of power, the design and the supervision of mining 
operations and of processes and apparatus for carrying out such operations, and 
the design and the supervision of the construction of municipal works, irrigation 
works, water supply works, sewerage works, drainage works, industrial works, 
sanitary works, hydraulic works, and structural works, and other public or private 
utilities or works which require for their design or the supervision of their con- 
struction such experience and technical knowledge as are required in this Act 
for admission to examination. 

Professional Requirements. — Law covers all those who practice professional 
engineering, other than military engineering. The Board has ruled that submission 
of plans for work is the equivalent of practicing engineering. Experience without 
degree: At least six years in engineering work, one of which shall have been in 
charge as principal or assistant. Educational allowance: A graduate from an 
engineering school of recognized good reputation must have at least four years 
of experience, during one of which he shall have been in charge as principal or 
assistant. Society membership: No provision. 



20 

General Requirements. — Citizenship of United States not required. Age: 
More than 21 years. Miscellaneous: Must be of good character. 

Examinations. — Required of all applicants except those holding certificates 
from, other States. Scope and nature: Prescribed by the Board, examinations 
may be either oral or partly oral and partly written. (The Board has ruled that 
examination may consist of applicant's sworn statement of professional education 
and experience in responsible charge of engineering work. If this statement is 
not complete or qualifying, the Board may summon applicant to appear for further 
examination, and investigate his record of professional service). Frequency: 
Determined by the Board. 

Fees. — For examination: $15.00. For certificate of registration: $10.00 addi- 
tional. For registration without examination : $25.00. For renewal of certificate : 
$5.00 annually. 

Expirations and Renewals. — Certificates to be renewed before date to be fixed 
by the Board. (The Board has ruled that if a registered engineer shall leave the 
State and fail to renew his certificate for one or more years, he shall, upon his 
return, have his certificate renewed upon payment of renewal fee for the current 
year) . 

Public Worh. — A person acting as a public officer employed by the State, a 
county, or a municipality is exempted from the provisions of this Act on work the 
estimated cost of which is $1 000 or less. Every map, plan, and drawing required 
by law to be certified or approved by a professional engineer shall be certified or 
approved by a regularly registered engineer and shall bear the date and number 
of his certificate. 

Seals. — No provision. (The Board has adopted a seal for the use of registered 
engineers which contains the registrant's name, his certificate number, and the 
words ''Registered Engineer, State of Florida"). 

Exemptions (See also "Reciprocity"). — Employees of registered practitioners: 
An assistant to a registered engineer is not required to register. (The Board has 
ruled that an assistant is not exempt when he is in responsible charge of work). 
The execution as a contractor of work designed by a professional engineer or the 
supervision of such work as a foreman or superintendent for the contractor is not 
deemed to be the practice of professional engineering. Employees of the Federal 
Government are exempt; State and municipal employees must register. The Act 
applies to every corporation, domestic or foreign, engaged in professional engineer- 
ing within the State, except that certificates are to be held by its officers or em- 
ployees instead of by the corporation. The Act does not apply to architects 
registered in the State. All military engineers are exempt. 

Reciprocity. — A non-resident practitioner may be granted a certificate without 
examination upon payment of a $25.00 fee and presentation to the Board of satis- 
factory evidence that he holds a certificate in another State, territory, or country 
where requirements are not lower than in the State. A new resident, provided he 
has applied for certificate and has paid the required fee, may practice for such 
reasonable time (G months prescribed by the rules of the Board) as is necessary 
for registration. 



21 

Revocation of Certificate. — The Board may revoke a certificate for cause only 
after a hearing at which the accused has the right to be represented by counsel, 
to introduce evidence and to examine and cross-examine witnesses. 

Penalties. — Any person who is not legally authorized to practice and shall so 
practice or otherwise violate the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of a mis- 
demeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished according to law, and 
in addition his certificate of registration shall be automatically revoked. 

Legislative Information. — Chapter 7404 (No. 146), Acts of 1917. Architects 
are covered by a separate law. 

Idaho Law for Kegistration of" Civil Engineers. 
Effective May 1st, 1919. 

Practitioners at the time the law became effective were allowed one year within 
which to register without examination. 

Administration. — Department of Law Enforcement. Seven registered civil 
engineers, designated by the Commissioner of Law Enforcement, shall guide him 
in the administration of the law. 

Application for Certificate of Registration. — Made to the Department of Law 
Enforcement, Boise, Idaho, in writing under oath in such form and accompanied 
by such proof of applicant's fitness to practice as the Department may from time to 
time prescribe. Must be accompanied by an unmounted photograph taken within 
a year. 

Definition of Engineering. — Civil Engineering, within the meaning of the Act, 
is the practice of any branch of the profession of engineering other than mining, 
metallurgical and military. Said profession embraces the design and supervision 
of the construction of all public or private utilities except those in connection with 
mining operations exclusively, and other works which require experience, and the 
same technical knowledge as engineering schools of recognized reputation prescribe 
for graduation. The requirements of the University of the State of Idaho for the 
degree of Civil Engineer are adopted as the standard. 

Professional Requirements. — Law covers all those who practice or offer to 
practice civil engineering. Experience without degree: At least six years of 
actual engagement in engineering work as assistant or otherwise. Educational 
allowance: Graduation from a school of engineering of recognized reputation is 
accepted in lieu of practical experience. Society membership: No provision. 

General Requirements. — Citizenship of United States not required. Age: 
More than 21 years. Miscellaneous: Must be of good character. 

Examinations. — Required of all applicants except those from other States. 
If a candidate fails on the first examination, he may, after an interval of not less 
than six months nor more than one year, have a second examination without addi- 
tional fee. Scope and nature: To be prescribed by the Department. Frequency: 
Semi-annually in State Capitol, at Boise, beginning at 9 a. m. the second Tuesday 
of March and September. Application must be received 10 days before the date 
of the examination. 

Fees.— For residents : $10.00. For non-residents : $25.00. For renewal: $2.00 
annually. 



22 

Expirations and Renewals. — Certificates must be renewed July first each year, 
or Department shall cancel. 

Significance of Certificate. — No map, plan, or drawing required by law to be 
certified or approved by a civil engineer shall be accepted or filed by State, county, 
or municipal authority, unless the certification or approval is executed by a person 
duly registered in accordance with the provisions of this Act. 

Seals. — No provision. 

Exemptions (See also ''Reciprocity"). — The following exemptions are made: 
Employees of registered practitioners when acting as assistants; engineers working 
for the United States Government; non-resident engineers entering the State for 
consultaljon, collecting information, or giving expert testimony in court; mining, 
metallurgical and military engineers. 

Reciprocity. — A non-resident practitioner may be granted a certificate without 
examination if licensed or registered in another State where the minimum require- 
ments are not less than in the State. A resident of a State which does not provide 
for registering or licensing may, upon presentation of satisfactory evidence that 
he is qualified as prescribed in the law and has practiced for an additional period 
of not less than 4 years immediately preceding his application, be granted a certifi- 
cate of registration without examination. (The Department has ruled that an 
applicant must have obtained a grade of 70% in the examination in his own State, 
and must submit to a practical examination as to his fitness for licensure at a 
regular examination.) 

Revocation of Certificate. — The Department may revoke a certificate for cause 
only after a hearing at which the accused has the opportunity of appearing and 
being heard. 

Penalties. — Any person who unlawfully practices or otherwise violates the 
provisions of the Act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person who 
attempts to obtain a certificate by fraud or by forged evidence, or to practice under 
such a certificate shall be deemed guilty of a felony. 

Legislative Information. — Chapter 64, Session Laws, 1919, approved March 14th, 
1919. Expiration of Certificate and Kenewal Fee, Chapter 138 (S. B. No. 187), 
approved March 18th, 1919. Registration of Architects covered by Chapter 8, 
Session Laws, 1919, Sections 10-21. Registration of Surveyors covered by Chap- 
ter 93, Sections 1402-1410. 

Illinois Law for Registration of Structural Engineers. 
Effective January 1st, 1920. 

Licenses or certificates of registration issued under a previous law shall be 
efi'ective for the period for which issued. 

Administration. — Director of Registration and Education. Professional 
features administered by committee of five structural engineers apix)inted froi . 
time to time by the Director. 

Application for Certificate. — Upon prescribed blanks to Department of Regis- 
tration and Education, Springfield, 111. 

Definition of Structural Engineer. — A person shall be regarded as practicing 
structural engineering within the meaning of the Act who is engaged in the 



23 

designing or supervising of the construction, enlargement, or alteration of struc- 
tures, or any part thereof, for others, to be constructed by persons other than 
himself. Structures within the meaning of the Act are all structures, having as 
essential fer ires, foundations, columns, girders, trusses, arches and beams, with 
or without .her parts, and in which safe design and construction require that 
loads and . esses must be computed and the size and strength of parts determined 
by mathc;atical calculations based upon scientific principles and engineering 
data. A rson shall also be regarded as practicing structural engineering within 
the meaii" ag of the Act who is engaged as a principal in the designing and super- 
vision of -he construction of structures or of the structural part of edifices designed 
solely f' the generation of electricity; or for the hoisting, cleaning, sizing or 
storinp- »f coal, cement, sand, gravel or similar materials ; elevators ; manufacturing 
plant • Jocks; bridges; blast furnaces; rolling mills; gas producers and reservoirs; 
smelt^is; dams; reservoirs; water-works; sanitary works as applied to the purifica- 
tion of water; plants for waste and sewage disposal; roundhouses for locomotives; 
railroad shops; pumping or power stations for drainage districts; or power houses, 
even though such structures may come within the definition of "buildings" as 
defined in any Act in force in the State relating to the regulation of the practice 
of architecture. 

Professional Requirements.^-Law covers all persons practicing or attempting 
to practice structural engineering. Experience without degree: Not less than six 
years in Illinois or in another State or territory, or in a foreign country or 
province, within ten years immediately preceding application. Must have been 
in responsible charge as principal or assistant for at least two years. Educational 
allowance: Every applicant who shall have graduated from a school of structural 
engineering approved by the Department, requiring a course of not less than 
four school years of at least 30 weeks, shall be credited with two years upon the 
required six-year period. The Department may credit not to exceed two years to 
an applicant who has pursued the course, but who has not graduated. Society 
membership: No provision. 

General Requirements. — Citizenship of United States not required. Age: At 
least 21 years. Miscellaneous: Must be of good moral character and temperate 
habits. 

Examinations. — Required of all who cannot fulfill conditions stated under 
"Reciprocity", "Exemptions" and "Professional Requirements". Scope and nature : 
Written and oral tests; shall embrace subjects normally taught in schools of 
structural engineering. (The Department has prescribed that examinations shall 
occupy three days and shall cover theoretical and applied mechanics, definitions, 
general engineering knowledge, stress analysis, static and moving loads, design 
and construction in reinforced concrete, steel, wood, masonry and foundations.) 
Frequency: Determined by the Department. 

Fees. — For examination for certificate : $10.00. For certificate of registration : 
$5.00. For examination to determine preliminary education: $5.00. For restora- 
tion of an expired certificate: $5.00. For renewal of certificate: $1.00 annually. 
For certificate to those who hold a like certificate from another State or country: 
$15.00. 



24 

Expirations and Renewals. — Each registered structural engineer must -renew 
his certificate annually before July 1st. Every certificate not renewed expires 
August 1st. An expired certificate may be renewed only upon payment of the 
restoration fee. Any registered structural engineer who retires from active 
practice for not more than five years may renew his certificate upon payment of 
all lapsed renewal fees. 

Significance of Certificate. — ^Public work: No provision. Private work: Must 
be registered to engage in private work. 

Seals. — Every registered structural engineer shall have a seal, which shall 
contain his name, place of business, and the words, "Registered Structural 
Engineer, State of Illinois". Seal obtained prior to July 1st, 1919, may bear the 
words "Licensed Structural Engineer". All plans, drawings, and specifications 
prepared by or under the supervision of a registered engineer must be stamped 
with his seal. 

Exemptions (See also ''Reciprocity'"). — The following exemptions are made: 
Present practitioners who can prove that on July 5th, 1915, they were actually 
engaged in the practice of structural engineering and did not apply by January 
5th, 1916, for a license without examination, as then required by law, shall be 
entitled to examination without regard to number of years they have practiced 
(any license or certificate of registration heretofore issued shall, during the 
unexpired period for which it was issued, serve the same purpose as the certificate 
provided for by the Act) ; employees of registered practitioners : draftsmen, 
students, clerks of work, superintendents and other employees of registered struc- 
tural engineers when acting under the immediate personal supervision of their em- 
ployers; superintendents of construction in the pay of the owner when acting 
under the immediate personal supervision of the registered structural engineer 
who prepared the drawings and specifications; any person, mechanic or builder, 
when making plans or specifications for, or supervising construction, enlargement 
or alteration of, any structure or building to be constructed by himself, or his 
employees, and for his own use. 

It is lawful for a corporation to prepare drawings, plans and specifications for 
buildings and structures, which are constructed, erected, built, or their construc- 
tion supervised by the corporation, if the chief executive officer or managing 
agent of the corporation in the State is a registered structural engineer. One or 
more registered structural engineers may lawfully enter into partnership with 
one or more registered architects. Persons registered to practice structural engi- 
neering are exempt from the operation of any Act relating to the regulation of 
the practice of' architecture. 

Reciprocity. — A non-resident practitioner, who is a structural engineer, 
registered or licensed under the laws of another State or territory, or of a foreign 
country or province, may, without examination, upon payment of fee, be granted 
a certificate of registration, provided that requirements for registration or licensing 
in the particular State, territory, country or province were substantially equal to the 
requirements then in force in this State. 

Revocation of Certificate. — Certificates may be revoked for cause only after 
public hearing at which the accused may produce witnesses and be heard. 



25 

Penalties. — Violation of the provisions of this Act constitutes a misdemeanor, 
punishable upon conviction by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $200. 

Legislative Information. — The Act must be known and cited as "The Illinois 
Structural Engineering Act". Approved June 24th, 1919. See also "An Act in 
relation to the civil administration of the State government, and to repeal certain 
acts therein named", approved March 7th, 1917, in force July 1st, 1917, which 
repeals "An Act to provide for the licensing of structural engineers" approved 
and in force Juty 5th, 1915. 

Iowa Law for Registration of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. 

Effective July 4th, 1919. 

Practitioners at the time the law became effective were allowed six months 
within which to register without examination. 

Administration. — Board of five members, appointed by the Governor, no two 
from the same branch of the profession. Each member of the Board shall be a 
member of a State or National engineering society. 

Application for Examination. — Made to the State Board of Engineering 
Examiners, Des Moines, Iowa. 

Definitions. — Professional Engineering means the practice of any branch of the 
profession other than military engineering. The practice of said profession em- 
braces the design and the supervision of the construction of public and private 
utilities, such as railroads, bridges, canals, harbors, river improvements, light- 
houses, wet docks, dry docks, ships, barges, dredges, cranes, floating docks and other 
floating property, the design and the supervision of the construction of steam 
engines, turbines, internal combustion engines and other mechanical structures, 
electrical machinery and apparatus, and of works for the development, transmis- 
sion or application of power; and the design and the supervision of the con- 
struction of municipal works, irrigation works, water supply works, sewage works, 
drainage works, industrial works, sanitary works, hydraulic works, structural 
works and other public and private utilities or works which require for their 
design or the supervision of their construction such experience and technical 
knowledge as are required by this Act. Land Surveying is surveying having to do 
with the boundaries or areas of tracts of land. The surveying of lands for the 
purpose of sub-dividing or determining boundary lines where no contest is involved 
shall not be deemed to be the practice of land surveying within the meaning of 
the Act. 

Professional Requirements. — Law covers all those who practice professional 
engineering or land surveying. Experience without degree: At least six years 
in the practice of engineering or land surveying, one year of which shall have 
been in charge as assistant. Educational allowance : Each year at an engineering 
school of recognized standing is counted equivalent to one year in practice. 
Society membership : No provision. 

General Requirements. — Citizenship of United States not required. Age: More 
than 25 years. Miscellaneous: Must be of good character. 



26 

Examinations. — Required of all applicants except those from other States. 
Scope and nature : To be prescribed by the Board. Frequency : To be given at a 
stated or called meeting of the Board. 

Fees. — For examination : $15.00. For certificate of registration : $10.00 addi- 
tional. For reinstatement of certificate that has been revoked: $10.00. For cer- 
tificate without examination: $25.00 (to practitioners when law became effective). 
For certificate without examination: $10.00 (to person registered in another State 
having standards that are not lower than those of Iowa). 

Expirations and Renewals. — No provision. 

Private WorJc. — Must be registered to engage in the private practice of engineer- 
ing or land surveying. Registered land surveyors may administer oaths to their 
assistants and to witnesses produced for examination of facts connected with 
land surveys. 

Seals. — The Board shall provide each candidate who has qualified for registra- 
tion with a seal with which he shall stamp all plans, specifications, and reports 
issued by him. 

Exemptions (See also ''Reciprocity"). — The following are exempt: Employees 
of registered practitioners; the execution as a contractor of work designed by a 
professional engineer, or the supervision of the construction of such work as a 
foreman or superintendent for such contractor is not deemed to be the practice 
of professional engineering; employees of the Federal Government; any full-time 
employee of any corporation while doing work for that corporation, except in the 
case of corporations offering their services to the public as professional engineers 
or land surveyors. 

Corporations engaged in designing and building works for public or private 
interests not their own are deemed to practice professional engineering. With 
respect to such corporations all principal designing or constructing engineers 
shall hold certificates of registration. This Act does not apply to corporations 
engaged solely in building said works. A certificate of registration as a profes- 
sional engineer does not carry with it the right to practice land surveying unless 
it is specifically permitted by said certificate, which permission shall be granted 
by the Board without an additional fee in the case of any applicant duly qualified. 
The construction, improving or extending of private drains, or drainage works, 
private irrigation works, private water supply works, or other works of a private 
nature, is not deemed to be the practice of engineering. 

Reciprocity. — A non-resident practitioner may be granted a certificate without 
examination upon payment of a $10.00 fee and presentation to the Board of 
satisfactory evidence that he holds like certificate in another State where the 
requirements are not lower than in Iowa. A new resident, provided he has filed 
application for a certificate and has paid the required fee, may practice for such 
reasonable time prescribed by the rules of the Board, as is necessary for regis- 
tration. 

Revocation of Certificate. — A certificate is to be considered revoked when no 
reply is received after two attempts have been made by the Board to communicate 
with the registrant; any certificate revoked for such cause may be reinstated upon 
due application and payment of the fee of $10.00. The Board may revoke a 



27 

certificate for cause only after a hearins? at which the accused has the rip:ht to be 
represented by counsel, to introduce evidence and to examine and cross-examine 
witnesses. 

Penalties. — Any person who, after the Act has been in effect for one year, is 
not legrally authorized to practice and shall so practice or otherwise violate its 
provisions shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall for each offense 
of which he is convicted be punished by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than 
$500, or by imprisonment for 3 months, or by both fine and imprisonment. 

Legislative Information. — Chapter 392, Senate File No. 186, Acts of the 
Thirty-Eighth General Assembly; approved April 25th, 1919; in effect July 4th, 
1919. 

Louisiana Law for Licensing Civil Engineers and Surveyors. 
Effective July 8th, 1920. 

Administration. — Board of five practicing civil engineers or surveyors of good 
standing, appointed by the Governor. 

Application for License or Examination. — Made to State Board of Engineering 
Examiners, Maison Blanche Building Annex, New Orleans, La. 

Professional Requirements. — Law covers those who practice civil engineering 
and land surveying. Experience without degree: No practical experience pre- 
scribed. An applicant must present to the Board a diploma from an engineering 
college or school of good standing, said standing to be determined by the Board, 
or satisfactory evidence that such diploma has been granted, or must pass a satis- 
factory examination. Society membership: No provision. 

General Requirements. — Citizenship of United States not required. Age: 21 
years. Miscellaneous: Must be of good character. 

E xanmiation s.—liequired of all who are not graduates of an engineering college 
or school of good standing. Scope and nature: For surveying, covers plaire 
trignometry, plane surveying and practical use of instruments; for engineering, 
covers in addition, physics, including practical problems in design and construction. 
Frequency: Not prescribed. 

Fees. — For examination : $25.00. For registration by diploma : $25.00. For 
registration of holder of license from another State: $15.00. For issuing license 
certificate: $1.00. For renewal of license for engineering: $3.00 annually. For 
renewal of license for surveying: $1.00 annually. For renewal after license has been 
revoked, for engineers: $10.00. For renewal after license has been revoked, for 
surveyors : $5.00. 

Expirations and Renevxils. — License must be renewed before February first 
each year, or in case of absence of holder from the State, within thirty days after 
his return. If a license is not renewed within the time limit, it shall be revoked, 
but may be renewed at any time thereafter upon payment of the required fee. 

Significance of Certificate. — Public Work: No provision. Private Work: A 
person must be licensed to engage in private practice of civil engineering or 
land surveying. 

Seals. — Board is authorized to adopt and use an official seal. 

Exemptions (See also "Reciprocity"). — Temporary permits: Any member of 
the Board may grant a temporary permit to practice after a satisfactory examina- 



28 

tion of any applicant, but such permit shall not continue beyond the next regular 
meeting of the Board, and shall in no case be granted less than six months after 
the applicant has been refused a permit by the Board. Civil engineers and sur- 
veyors in the employ of the Federal government are exempt. No special provisions 
for State and municipal employees. Members of companies or corporations must 
qualify for licenses as individuals. Non-professionals may run levels for terracing 
rice fields when registered engineers and surveyors are unavailable, but they 
may not make a practice of such work. 

Reciprocity. — Non-resident practitioners are exempted when in actual con- 
sultation with registered civil engineers or surveyors of the State, or may be 
registered upon payment of fee of $15.00 and presentation of satisfactory evidence 
of holding a similar certificate in another State, where the requirements are 
satisfactory to the Board, provided like privilege is granted to applicants from 
Louisiana in that State. 

Revocation of Certificate. — The Board may revoke a certificate when the holder 
has been convicted of immoral conduct before a competent court. 

Penalties. — Any person who shall practice or attempt to practice without having 
complied with the provisions of the Act shall be fined not less than $100 nor more 
than $500, or shall be imprisoned not less than 30 nor more than 90 days for each 
offense. 

Legislative Information.— Kci No. 242 of 1920; Senate Bill No. 26 by Mr. 
Beale; approved July 8th, 1920. This Act amends and re-enacts Act No. 200 of 
1914, and Act No. 308 of 1908. 

Michigan Law for Registration of 
Architects, Engineers and Surveyors. 

Effective August 14th, 1919. 

Practitioners at the time the law became effective were required to register by 
March 1st, 1920. 

Administration. — Board of seven examiners appointed by the Governor; two 
architects and five engineers. 

Application for Examination.— Made to State Board of Examiners for the 
Registration of Architects, Engineers and Surveyors, 80 Griswold St., Detroit, 
Mich. 

Professional Requirements. — Law covers any person who represents himself 
to be an architect, an engineer, or a surveyor. The Board shall have power to 
classify applicants as civil, mining, mechanical, electrical, chemical and by other 
branches. Experience without degree : Not less than six years in practical archi- 
tectural or engineering work or surveying under the direction or supervision of a 
registered architect, or a registered engineer, or a registered surveyor, or of an 
architect, or engineer, or surveyor of equivalent professional standing. Educational 
allowance: Time as a student of architecture or engineering in a college or school 
of recognized standing is considered the equivalent of an equal amount of practical 
experience. Society membership: No provision. 

General Requirements. — Citizenship of United States required. Age: Must be 
of legal age. Miscellaneous : Must be of good moral character. 



29 

Examinations. — Required of all who desire to begin the practice of architecture, 
engineering or surveying as principals or in responsible charge, except those from 
other States. Scope and nature: Includes English language, and other appropriate 
subjects. Frequency: Not prescribed. 

Fees. — For examination: $5.00. For certificate of registration: $15.00 addi- 
tional. For certificate of registration without examination: $20.00. For renewal 
of certificate: $5.00 every five years. 

Expirations and Renewals. — All certificates expire January 1st, 1925, and 
January 1st of each fifth year thereafter, and are subject to renewal upon appli- 
cation not less than thirty days preceding the date of expiration upon payment 
of fee. 

Significance of Certificate. — Public work: After March 1st, 1920, neither the 
State, nor any county, township, municipality or village shall engage in the con- 
struction or maintenance of any public work of an architectural or engineering 
character, for which plans, specifications and estimates shall not have been pre- 
pared by a registered architect or a registered engineer, and the construction of 
which is not supervised by such a registered architect or registered engineer, pro- 
vided that nothing in this section shall be held to apply to items of maintenance, 
repair or construction wherein the contemplated expenditure for the completed 
project does not exceed $2 000. Private work : After March 1st, 1920, no city or 
village plat, or plat of an addition thereto or of a subdivision thereof, or any plat 
dividing land into streets, lots or blocks, shall be received for record, which has 
not been prepared by a registered engineer or a registered surveyor and signed 
by him as such. 

Seals. — No provision. 

Exemptions (See also ''Reciprocity''). — Present practitioner: Any person 
qualified to use the title "registered architect" before the Act took effect shall be 
considered as registered under the Act. Any citizen of the State engaged in 
practice as an engineer or as a surveyor as principal or in responsible charge for 
not less than two years before the Act went into effect, shall be granted a certificate. 
Any person, firm or corporation is not prevented from preparing plans and specifi 
cations for buildings to be erected by themselves. Employees of railroads or other 
interstate corporations whose employment is confined to such corporations, need 
not register. Private work: Nothing in this Act shall prevent any person from 
doing any of the engineering, architectural or surveying work mentioned herein 
upon or in connection with the construction of residence buildings, barns or 
garages and other private buildings. 

Reciprocity. — Non-resident practitioners : The Board shall register architects 
and engineers of other States and of foreign countries when they are recognized 
as consulting specialists and have had at least 10 years of experience as such, or 
when they present credentials showing that they have qualified for such work 
under equivalent laws of their own States or Governments and are still in good 
standing thereunder, provided that such laws extend similar privileges to registrants 
under the Act. 

Revocation of Certificate. — The Board may revoke a certificate for cause after 
the accused has been given opportunity for hearing. 



30 

Penalties. — Any violation of the provisions of the Act shall be a misdemeanor 
punishable for the first offense by a fine of not more than $100, and for a sub- 
sequent offense by a fine of not more than $500, or by imprisonment for not more 
than one year, or by both fine and imprisonment. 

Legislative Information. — Act No. 334, Public Acts of 1919, effective August 
14th, 1919. Act No. 120, Public Acts of 1915, relating to Eegistration of Architects, 
repealed. 

New York Law for Licensing 

Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. 

Effective May 14th, 1920. 

Present practitioners must obtain licenses within two years. 

Administration. — In hands of a board of five licensed engineers appointed by 
the Regents of the University of the State of New York. 

Application for Certificate. — Must be made on prescribed form to Regents of 
the University of the State of New York, Albany, N. Y. 

Definition of Land Surveying. — Land surveying as covered by this Act refers 
to surveys for the determination of areas or for the establishment or re-establish- 
ment of land boundaries and the sub-division and platting of land. 

Professional Requirements. — Law covers all those practicing or offering to 
practice professional engineering or land surveying. Experience without degree: 
To practice Engineering — six or more years of active professional engineering 
work, one of which shall have been in responsible charge, of a character satisfactory 
to the Board; to practice Land Surveying — four or more years of active engage- 
ment in land surveying work of a character satisfactory to the Board. Educational 
allowance: Each two years of study of engineering in a school of engineering of 
standing satisfactory to the Regents considered as equivalent to one year of active 
practice. Society membership: No provision. 

General Requirements. — Citizenship of United States : Not required to practice 
Engineering; required .to practice Land Surveying — or a declaration to become a 
citizen. Age: At least 21 years. Miscellaneous: Must be of good character and 
repute. To practice Land Surveying, must speak and write the English language. 

Examinations. — If evidence presented in the application does not appear to the 
Board to be conclusive or warranting issuance of a certificate, applicant may 
present further evidence, which may include the result of a required examination. 
Nature : Not prescribed. Frequency : Not prescribed. 

Fees. — For certificate to practice Engineering or Land Surveying : $25.00. For 
certificate to practice both Engineering and Land Surveying: $35.00. If issuance 
of certificate be denied, fee shall be returned. 

Expirations and Renewals. — No provisions. 

Public Work. — Two years after the Act takes effect, no county, city, town or 
village, or other political sub-division shall engage in construction or maintenance 
of any public work involving professional engineering or land surveying for which 
plans, specifications and estimates have not been made by, and construction and 
maintenance aui)erviscd by, a licensed engineer or land surveyor, provided that 
nothing in this section shall be held to apply when the contemplated expenditure 
for comi)letod project does not exceed $2 000. 



31 

Seals. — Each licensee may obtain a seal of a design authorized by the Board, 
bearing the licensee's name and the legend "licensed i^rofessional engineer" or 
''licensed land surveyor". Plans, specifications, plats, and reports may be stamped 
with said seal. 

Exemptions (See also ''Reciprocity"). — The following are exempt: Offering 
to practice by non-resident; Employees of licensed practitioners, so long as 
practice does not include responsible charge of design or supervision as principal; 
employees of the State or any political sub-division are exempted from the time 
the Act becomes effective only until their respective terms of office expire; 
officers or employees of the United States. Corporations or partnerships may 
engage in the practice of engineering or land surveying provided the person or 
persons connected with such corporation or partnership in charge of design or 
supervision which constitutes such practice is or are licensed. The same exemp- 
tions as apply to individuals apply to corporations and partnerships. Engineers 
are not prohibited from making land surveys essential to engineering projects. 

Reciprocity. — A non-resident practitioner may practice in the State, provided 
he is legally qualified for such professional service in his own State or country, 
where the necessary qualifications for which meet the requirements of the Board 
of Regents; he may be granted a certificate upon payment of the required fee if he 
holds a like unexpired certificate from another State or territory in the United 
States in which the requirements for license or registration are of a standard 
satisfactory to the Board. A new resident, provided he has filed application for 
license and has paid the required fee, may practice for such reasonable time as 
the Board requires in which to consider and grant or deny the application. 

Revocation of Certificate. — The Regents may revoke a certificate for cause only 
after a hearing at which the accused has the right to be represented by counsel, 
to introduce evidence and to examine and cross-examine witnesses. 

Penalties. — Any person who, after the Act has been in effect two years, is not 
legally authorized to practice and shall so practice or otherwise violate its terms, 
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall for each offense of which he is 
convicted be punished by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500, or by 
imprisonment for three months or by both fine and imprisonment. 

Legislative Information. — Law is Article IV-A of Chapter 25, Laws of 1909; 
approved May 14th, 1920. Introduced in Senate, No. 1104, by Mr. Ferris, March 
17th, 1920. Article VII-A, Chapter 25, Laws of 1909, applies to registration of 
architects. 

Oregon Law for the Registration of Professional Engineers. 
Effective May 29th, 1919. 

Practitioners at the time the law became effective were allowed seven months 
within which to register. 

Administration. — Board of nine members appointed by the Governor — two civil, 
two mechanical, one electrical, two hydraulic and two mining engineers. 

Application for Examination. — Made to Secretary, State Board of Engineering 
Examiners, Corbett Building, Portland, Ore. 



32 

Definition of Engineering. — The practice of professional engineering embraces 
the design and the supervision of the construction of public and private utilities 
such as railroads, bridges, highways, roads, canals, harbors, river improvements, 
lighthouses, wet docks, dry docks, ships, barges, dredges, cranes, floating docks and 
other floating property, the design and the supervision of the construction of 
steam engines, turbines, internal combustion engines and other mechanical struc- 
tures, electrical machinery and apparatus, and of works for the development, trans- 
mission or application of power, the design and the supervision of mining opera- 
tions and of processes and apparatus for carrying out such operations, and the 
design and the supervision of the construction of municipal works, irrigation works, 
water supply works, sewerage works, drainage works, industrial works, sanitary 
works, hydraulic works and structural works and other public or private utilities 
or works which require for their design or the supervision of their construction 
such experience and technical knowledge as are required in this Act for admission 
to examination. The enumeration of any public or private utilities or works shall 
not be construed as excluding any other public or private utilities or works which 
require such experience and technical knowledge for their design or the supervision 
of their construction. 

Professional Requirements. — Law covers all those who practice professional 
engineering, other than military engineering. Experience without degree: At 
least six years in engineering work, one of which shall have been in charge as 
principal or assistant. Educational allowance: A graduate from an engineering 
school of recognized good reputation must have at least two years of experience 
during one of which he shall have been in charge as principal or assistant. Society 
membership: No provision. 

General Requirements. — Citizenship of United States not required. Age : More 
than 21 years. Miscellaneous : Must be of good character. 

Examinations. — Required of all applicants except those holding certificates 
from other States. Scope and nature: To be prescribed by the Board; may be 
either oral or partly oral and partly written. Frequency: To be determined by 
the Board. 

Fees. — For examination: $10.00. For certificate of registration: $5.00 addi- 
tional. For certificate of registration without examination: $15.00. 

Expirations and Renewals. — No provisions. 

Significance of Certificate. — Public work: No provision. Private work: After 
January 1st, 1920, every map, plan and drawing required by law to be certified 
or approved by a professional engineer shall be certified or approved by a regularly 
registered engineer and shall bear the date and number of his certificate. 

Seals. — No provision. 

Exemptions (See also ''Reciprocity''). — Employees of registered practitioners: 
An assistant to a registered engineer is not required to register. Contractors and 
superintendents: Execution as a contractor of work designed by a professional 
engineer or supervision of such work as a foreman or superintendent is not deemed 
practice of professional engineering. Employees of the Federal Government are 
exempt; State and municipal employees must register. Professional engineers in 
military service may be registered without examination within a year from date of 



83 

discharge. The Act does not apply to architects registered in the State. All 
military engineers are exempt. 

Reciprocity. — A non-resident practitioner may be granted a certificate without 
examination upon payment of a $15.00 fee and presentation to the Board of 
satisfactory evidence that he holds a like certificate in another State, territory 
or country where the requirements are not lower than in Oregon. New residents: 
Any professional engineer coming from without the State and possessing the 
qualifications shall be permitted to practice for a period not exceeding three 
months before making application for examination or for certificate. 

Revocation of Certificate. — The Board may revoke a certificate for cause only 
after a hearing at which the accused has the right to be represented by counsel, to 
introduce evidence and to examine and cross-examine witnesses. 

Penalties. — Any person who is not legally authorized to practice and shall so 
practice or otherwise violate the provisions of this Act, shall be guilty of a mis- 
demeanor, and upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $25 nor 
more than $500, or to imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed six months. 

Legislative Information. — Chapter 381, General Laws, 1919; House Bill No. 
263; filed in the office of the Secretary of State, March 4th, 1919, to take effect 
July 1st, 1919. Kegistration of architects is covered by Chapter 418, General 
Laws, 1919. 

Virginia Law for Registration of 
Professional Engineers, Architects and Land Surveyors. 

Effective June 19th, 1920. 

Kegistration optional; present practitioners are not limited as to time within 
which to register. 

Administration. — Board of three architects, three engineers, and three land 
surveyors, appointed by the Governor. In determining qualifications of applicants 
for certification as architects, majority vote of architect members of board, only, 
is required; similarly for engineers, and for land surveyors. 

Application for Examination. — Made to State Board for Examination and 
Certification of Archit€cts, Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, Richmond, 
Ya. 

Professional Requirements. — Law covers all those practicing professionally one 
or more branches of engineering, architecture, or land surveying, as certified prac- 
titioners. Experience without degree: To practice architecture or engineering — 
not less than four years of practical experience under the direction or supervision 
of a certified architect or certified engineer, or architect or engineer of equivalent 
standing; to practice land surveying — not less than two years of practical experi- 
ence under the direction or supervision of a certified land surveyor, or land sur- 
veyor of equivalent professional standing. Educational allowance: Time spent 
as a student of architecture, engineering or land surveying in a college or school 
of recognized standing is considered the equivalent of an equal amount of prac- 
tical experience. Society membership: No provision. 

General Requirements. — Citizenship of United States necessary — or a declara- 
tion to become a citizen. Age: At least 21 years. Miscellaneous: Must be of 



34 

good character. Registration not compulsory. Law merely protects the terms 
"certified architect", "certified professional engineer", and "certified land surveyor". 

Examinations. — Required of all applicants except those in practice at the time 
the law becomes effective and those from other States. Scope and nature: To be 
prescribed by the Board. Frequency: At least once each year at Richmond, Ya., 
and at such other places and times as the Board may designate. 

Fees. — For each examination: $20.00. For certificate without examination: 
$5.00 to residents of six years' practice of architecture or engineering or two years' 
of land surveying at the time the law goes into effect. 

Expirations and Renewals. — No provisions. 

Significance of Certificate. — Public work: No provision. Private work: Not 
necessary to have certificate to carry on work, unless designations "certified profes- 
sional engineer", "certified architect" or "certified land surveyor," are used. 

Seals. — No provision. 

Exemptions (See also ''Reciprocity"). — Present practitioners may be granted 
certificates without examination, upon payment of fee and upon satisfactory evi- 
dence, for architects and engineers, of not less than six years, and for land sur- 
veyors, of not less than two years, of professional practice. Engineers are not 
excluded from the practice of architecture, nor architects from the practice of 
engineering. 

Reciprocity. — Non-resident practitioners: Examination may be waived if the 
applicant is from another State where the qualifications prescribed are equal to 
those prescribed in Virginia, provided a like privilege is granted to applicants 
from Virginia in that State. 

Revocation of Certificates. — Certificates may be revoked for cause only after 
a hearing at which the accused has the right to be represented by counsel, to 
introduce evidence, and to examine and cross-examine witnesses. 

Penalties. — After six months from the date the Act becomes effective, the use 
by any person of the title of "certified professional engineer", "certified architect," 
or "certified land surveyor" without compliance with the provisions of the Act 
shall be deemed a m-isdemeanor, and such person shall be punishable by a fine of 
not more than $100. 

Legislative Information. — Chapter 328 (S. B. 226), approved March 19th, 1920. 

Wyoming Law for the Licensing of Surveyors and Engineers. 
Effective February 25th, 1919. 

To practitioners holding licenses under a previous law, new licenses shall be 
issued without examination. 

Administration. — Board of three engineers, appointed by the Governor; State 
Engineer, member and Secretary. 

Application for Examination. — Made to State Board of Examining Engineers, 
Cheyenne, Wyo. 

Professional Requirements. — Law covers any person who shall perform any 
surveying or engineering work relating to drainage, highway, municipal, county 
or State projects, survey of property lines or rights of way or preparation of 
applications for permits for use of water, or otherwise relative to the use of water. 



85 

Experience without degree: No provision. Educational allowance: No provision. 
Society mc'inbership : No provision. 

General Requirements. — Citizenship of United States: No provision. Age: No 
provision. Miscellaneous: No license shall be issued to any applicant who is 
incompetent, dishonest, intemperate, or addicted to any habit which would render 
him an unsafe employee. Each licensee is required to furnish a satisfactory 
surety bond of $500. 

Examinations. — Required of all applicants except those licensed under previous 
Acts. Nature: Written examination and investigation by the Board of record, 
training and experience. Frequency : Not prescribed. 

Fees. — For examination: $10.00; should applicant fail to pass, he may be 
re-examined within a year without payment of additional fee. For certificate 
of license without examination : $5.00. 

Expirations and Renewals. — Each license shall be in force only as long as the 
surety bond shall remain in good standing. 

Significance of Certificate. — Public work: All surveying and engineering work 
done by or under authority of any village, town, city, county or other political 
subdivision, or the State, shall be performed by or under the direction of a person 
licensed as provided by the Act, and no town, city or county surveyor or engineer, 
or surveyor or engineer employed by the State shall be eligible to appointment, 
re-appointment, election or re-election, until he has secured such license. Private 
work: Must be licensed to engage in the private practice of engineering or survey- 
ing. Every licensed surveyor and engineer is authorized to administer and certify 
oaths for application for the use of water or for preparation of petitions in con- 
nection with the use of water, or when it becomes necessary to take testimony to 
identify old or lost corners or to perpetuate a corner which is in a perishable condi- 
tion, or whenever the importance of the survey, makes it desirable to administer 
oaths to assistants for the faithful performance of their duties, and in admins- 
tering such oath shall use an impression seal of form prescribed by the Board. 

Seals. — Each licensee shall use a seal of the form prescribed by the Board, 
giving name, place of residence, and license number. 

Exemptions {See also "Reciprocity"). — Present practitioners holding licenses 
in grades of "junior" and "senior" engineer by virtue of a previous Act shall be 
classed as "engineers" and those holding surveyors' licenses, as "surveyors", under 
provisions of this Act. Upon payment of a $5.00 fee, the Board shall issue licenses. 
The Act does not apply to engineers of the United States engaged in the prosecu- 
tion of Federal engineering work. The holder of an engineer's license is permitted 
to practice all classes of surveying and engineering. 

Reciprocity. — No provision. 

Revocation of Certificate. — The Board may revoke any certificate for cause. 

Penalties. — Any person not licensed in accordance with the provisions of the 
Act who shall practice or otherwise violate its provisions shall be deemed guilty 
of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than $200 
or imprisoned for not more than six months, or be both fined and imprisoned. 

Legislative Information. — Chapter 120; Session Laws, 1919; Senate File No. 
48; Approved February 25th, 1919. Repeals Chapters GO and 69, Compiled 
Statutes 1910; Chapters 18 and 118, Session Laws, 1917. 



36 

CANADIAN LAWS FOR THE REGISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL 

ENGINEERS. 

The Canadian Laws for the control of the profession of engineering establish 
Associations of Professional Engineers in each Province. For the most part these 
Associations are autonomous; in some cases, however, before any by-laws passed 
by the Association can become effective, they must be approved by the Governor- 
in-Council, i. e., the Cabinet of the Province. The British Columbia Act provides 
that of the nine councillors, four shall be appointed by the Governor-in-Council. 

"Registration" is defined in the British Columbia Act as the admission of an 
engineer to membership in the Association and the enrolment of his name in the 
"Register", and "Licensure" as the granting of permission to a non-resident 
engineer to practice temporarily without being registered. Although the other 
laws do not define these terms, they make provision for the issuance of both "Cer- 
tificates of Registration" and "Licenses." 

The laws follow in the main the Model Law proposed by the Engineering 
Institute of Canada, with a consequent degree of uniformity not found in the 
eleven State laws of this country. Educational attainments are given full recogni- 
tion; time spent in study being counted equivalent to an equal period of practical 
experience. All laws contain liberal clauses regarding non-resident practitioners 
and consultants.' 

With the exception of Prince Edward Island, Ontario and Saskatchewan, all 
Provinces have Associations of Engineers established by law. 

As a typical example of these laws, appended is an abstract of the "Act to 
Incorporate the New Brunswick Association of Professional Engineers." 

Abstract of Act to Incorporate the 
New Brunswick Association of Professional Engineers. 
Effective April 24, 1920. 
Note: Engineering Council does not guarantee the legal accuracy of this 
abstract. 

Definition of Engineering. — Professional engineering shall mean and include 
designing, laying out, and supervising in a professional capacity the construction, 
enlargement, alteration, improvement, and repair of public utilities, factories, 
industrial works, railways, bridges, tunnels, highways, roads, canals, harbors, 
harbor works, wharves, river improvements, light-houses, wet docks, dry docks, 
dredges, cranes, floating docks, and other similar works, steam engines, turbines, 
pumps, internal combustion engines, and other similar mechanical structures, air 
ships and aeroplanes, electrical machinery and apparatus, chemical and metallur- 
gical machinery and works for the development, transmission or application of 
power, mining operations and apparatus for carrying out such operations, municipal 
works, irrigation works, water works, water purification plants, sewerage works, 
sewage disposal works, drainage works, incinerators, hydraulic works, and all other 
engineering works. 

The Association. — Is a body politic and corporate, with perpetual succession' 
and connnon seal. Membership: All registered professional engineers. Head- 
quarters: City of St. John. Powers: May acquire and hold real estate for the 
purposes of the Association and may change or dispose of it in whole or in part. 



37 

All fees, fines, and penalties receivable and recoverable shall belong to the Associa- 
tion. The Association may pass by-laws regarding the discipline and honor of 
the profession, and the discipline and practice of the members; the management 
of its property; the levying and collecting of annual and other fees; the examina- 
tion and admission of candidates; the filling of vacancies in the Council of the 
Association and the acceptance of resignations therefrom; and all other purposes 
pertaining to the management of the Association. All by-laws or amendments 
thereto shall become effective only after ratification by a two-thirds majority of 
the votes received from members in good standing. Government : By an Executive 
Council consisting of President, Vice-President, and such number of elected 
Councillors not exceeding 15 as may be fixed by the by-laws. 

Application for Registration. — Made to Council of Association of Profes- 
sional Engineers of the Province of New Brunswick. 

Requirements for Registration. — Age: At least 23 years. Experience: Six 
years in some branch of engineering or at least two years as a professor of 
engineering in a recognized college. A graduate from a recognized college may 
include time spent in study as experience. 

Examinations. — Required of all who cannot submit credentials satisfactory to 
the Council. Candidate shall submit to examination at his option in theory and 
practice of engineering in one or more of the recognized branches. Scope and 
nature: Prescribed by the Council. Frequency: As often and at such places as 
the Council may direct. Central Examining Board: The Council may establish 
conjointly with any Council of any other Association a Central Examining Board 
and may delegate its powers, provided any examination conducted shall be held 
in at least one place within the Province of New Brunswick. 

Registration Without Examination. — Any person who can present to the Council 
satisfactory proof of qualifications, shall be registered upon payment of required 
fees. If applicant be a graduate of the University of New Brunswick or other 
recognized college, he shall not be required to submit to a written examination, 
l>ut shall submit proof of other necessary qualifications. 

Fees. — To be set forth in the by-laws. 

Expirations and Renewals. — Renewal fees fall due on January first of each 
year. If any registered practitioner omits to pay the annual registration fee 
within six months after it is due, his name shall be erased from the register, but 
he may have it replaced at any time thereafter upon payment of the required fee. 

Seals. — Every person may have a seal containing his name, and the words, 
"Registered Engineer, Province of New Brunswick", with which he may stamp 
all official document and plans. 

Exemptions (See also '^Reciprocity^'). — Any person residing in the Province 
of New Brunswick at the date of the passing of this Act, who is at that date and 
has been for six years previously practising as a professional engineer shall be 
entitled to be duly registered as a member of the Association without examination, 
provided that such person shall produce to the Council, within one (1) year of the 
passing of the Act, satisfactory credentials of having so practised. Assistants 
working under the direct supervision of professional engineers and not taking 
responsibility for their work other than to their direct superiors shall not be 
deemed to be practising as professional engineers when so engaged. Any person 



38 

who is employed as a professional engineer by a public service corporation, a private 
corporation,, a public utility, or a Government department, whose business is 
normally carried on in two or more of the Provinces of Canada, and who is by 
reason of his employment required to practise as a professional engineer in other 
Provinces than that of his residence, may so practise in the Province of New 
Brunswick without holding a non-resident license, or payment of fee, providing 
such person can on demand of the Council produce satisfactory credentials showing 
that he is a registered member of an Association of Engineers similarly constituted 
of some other Province of Canada. Engineers who were practising in the Province 
of New Brunswick, and who have been accepted for service in the World War in 
the forces of Great Britain, or any of her Allies, shall on their return to Canada 
be entitled to all the rights and privileges conferred upon those in practise at the 
time the Act becomes effective. A Consulting Engineer who is not a resident of 
Canada, but who is a member of any engineering or technical organization or 
society of standing recognized by the Council, may obtain a license to practise 
if he can meet the requirements for registration as set forth above. He may act 
in an advisory or consultative capacity without a license. Of two or more 
persons carrying on practise as professional engineers in co-partnership only 
such members as are registered or licensed under the Act, shall individually 
assume the function of a professional engineer. A firm as such cannot be deemed 
to be a member of the Association or be licensed to practise. 

Reciprocity. — Any person not residing in the Province of New Brunswick who 
is a registered member of an Association of Engineers similarly constituted of any 
other Province of the Dominion of Canada, may obtain from the Registrar a 
license to practise upon production of evidence of his registry in such other 
Province, and upon payment of a fee of one dollar. He may practise pending the 
disposal of his application. Any person who shall come hereafter to reside in the 
Province of New Brunswick, and who at the time is a duly registered member of an 
Association of Engineers of some other Province in the Dominion of Canada, with 
a constitution similar to that of this Association may be registered as a member of 
this Association without payment of fee for the then current year ; provided that he 
produce to or file with the Council a certificate of membership in good standing 
in said other Association and an application for transfer of registry endorsed by 
the Registrar or other proper officer of said other Association. 

Suspension for Misconduct. — No registered engineer shall be suspended or 
expelled from the Association without a hearing at which evidence shall be taken 
under oath. The Council shall have power to compel witnesses to attend and give 
testimony. All testimony shall be taken down in writing. The accused, if con- 
victed, may appeal within 30 days to a judge of the Supreme Court, who shall 
review the evidence and confirm or set aside such suspension or expulsion. Pending 
appeal, the accused may practise. 

Penalties. — Any person who practises or attempts to practise without first 
complying with the provisions of the Act shall be liable upon summary conviction 
for the first offense, to a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $200 and costs, 
and on failure to pay to imprisonment for not more than three months, and for 
any subsequent offense, to a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $500 and 
costs, and on failure to pay to imprisonment for not more than six months. 



39 

EVIDENCE OF QUALIFICATION ACCEPTABLE IN LIEU OF WRITTEN 

EXAMINATION. 

Resolution Adopted at Meeting of the Council of Engineering Examiners in 

Chicago, November 9, 1920 

Introduced by T. L. Condron — 

Resolved: That it is the sense of this council that the submission of the 
evidence of qualifications of the applicant for the practice of professional 
engineering should be considered as the essential part of the examinations and 
that reciprocal registration certificate should be granted to an applicant who has 
submitted such satisfactory evidence to the Examining Board of his own State. 

Seconded by Mr. C. S. Hammatt of Florida. 

Resolution adopted. 



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